Summer dressing: T-shirt dress

You can't have enough light fabrics for SoCal summer dressing. I scored this Jason Wu for Target jersey dress in the spring and am finally wearing it! No, it's not the 4th of July, but I think I've clearly established a "red, white & blue is good all summer" theme. And I'll wear anything that vaguely matches these shoes so I can wear them as often as possible. I found this awesome purse when I was in Korea last month. I wanted one similar that I'd seen on ModCloth, but then I came across this one for 1/10th of the price in Seoul and I had to have it. The only issue I have with T-shirt dresses is they have no shape. Gotta belt it. Otherwise, I feel like I'm wearing a muumuu or caftan, and this isn't Hawaii or Morocco. I cannot rock that. Happy summer day. :)

Made by Me: 1960's shift

I finally finished this dress... and have already begun on a vintage top made from the same fabric. I like the eyelets in the fabric and the blue and teal flowers. But I think a heavier fabric with a lining would hang better because of the weight. But I live in warm SoCal so I use very light fabrics for most everything. And re-claimed and re-purposed is my favorite kind of fabric!

I got this pattern and fabric for a dollar at an estate sale.

 

I LOVE my nude patent wedges! They are perfect for summer, and go with just about everything.

Happy sewing!!!!
xoxoxo

Made by Me: July 4th T-shirt

I'm always ready for the Independence Day holiday. There is nothing I love to celebrate more than INDEPENDENCE. Not necessarily my country's, but the independence of the mind, of the spirit, of creativity, as well as the ideas of being responsible and self-sufficient. And let's throw "fiscal" independence in there too. I like the idea of being "independent" in all of these ways. So to celebrate I threw on this festive "cut-up" t-shirt I made a few years ago. Rebellious, yes, but in the spirit of the history of the holiday.
Hope you had a great holiday!
xoxox

Made-by-me skirt too. Remix wedges. Worth every penny.

My assistants, making their first blog entry.

When In Seoul, Shop!

In Seoul the thing to do is shop. If you ask anyone what are the must-see-sights, they might say go to one of the historical palaces or the fabulous N Seoul Tower (both of which i LOVED!) -- but you can be SURE they will tell you to go to at least one if not SEVERAL street markets. There are so many areas where the shops just spill out on the streets and you can enjoy fresh air, people watching, the sounds, smells and energy of the busy city. And the styles for summer are very, very cute. Enjoy these inspiring pics.
Happy shopping and/or travels!

 

Red, white, and blue continued

I love nautical this summer....maybe that is always in style for summer? I think so.
I'm so ready for the 4th of July! All I need is a sparkler.

(Target skirt with BIKES on it -- a great find for $17. H&M top from last winter $12. My new favorite navy booties which I wear nearly everyday now from Amazon.com. Made-by-me ring :)

TREND ALERT!!!

I just got back from East Asia. let me tell you what is on every young thing right now. Lacy doily collars!! Who would've guess that is THE spring/summer icon. It's on every little dress and top you see at every shop in Korea and Japan. Coming to U.S.??? We'll see....

Made by Me: Blue Bug Dress

I'm still working my way thru my about boxes of vintage patterns and fabrics. Here is my newest dress. 1960's cute-comfort. Go-go empire waist, silly print knit. What I love about making my own stuff is there is nothing else like it. Having something one-of-a-kind is thrilling. It's like being the world-champion of something. Being the only one out of billions to have this special thing. I think we all want to feel like that sometimes. And we can. Just make yourself something special.

Blue satin ribbon for "belt". Most likely will make something more solid for the future.

And I made this ring too...

Thrifted vintage T-straps

Sweet Potato Muffins

I'm heading off to Korea and Japan for a work trip. Blog posts may be spotty, so I hope this will keep you satisfied for a bit.

I made this a few days ago for breakfast -- Sweet Potato MuffinS!!!!!!
It was gonna be carrot cake, but I decided to sub sweet potato for carrots and a banana for the 2 eggs. Why not go vegan when you can? It was so good and moist and sweet. I cut the sugar down in the recipe because of the sweet fruit/veg. I recommend this.

2 cups white whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon (I like 2 tsp)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 banana
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups chopped or mashed sweet potato (I steam mine in the microwave for 5 minutes, then dice -- 1 big one will work)
1. Preheat oven to 350. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; whisk until blended. In a separate bowl, mash banana and sugar with a wooden spoon or fork. Add oil and orange juice, then combine with flour mixture. Fold in sweet potato.
2. Divide batter among prepared liners(each about 3/4 full). Bake 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.